Timing of the Aids Self-Study Course

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☞ This is an entirely self-study course. You can do it at your own pace, begin any time. Does not include Q&As or any support/feedback.

We are so pleased you have decided to join us as we journey with the TOTA fine-riding roadmap. We can't wait to see the impact gaining mastery over the orchestra of the aids has on you and your horse.

As you progress through the course you will able to simultaneously establish a healthy rapport with the horse AND progress up the levels…

✓ Understand the footfalls patterns of the horse in each gait, as well as the biomechanics of how the horse uses his body and how each body part interacts with every other body part.

✓ Be clear on your ethics and values with your horse, communicating fairly, and holding yourself to that standard, always expecting of yourself before your horse. This is achieved by being absolutely clear and concise with the aids because your aids are how you communicate with the horse while riding.

✓ You will develop a clear framework for understanding how your aids work within the biomechanics of the horse. This way they do not contradict themselves, upsetting or confusing their horse. This also opens the door to refined upper-level communication. Without this framework, there is no upper-level training with the horse.

A Natural, Biomechanics-based Framework to eliminate communication interference and instil a happy, harmonious relationship based on respectful dialogue and thoughtful aids with your horse.

Taught by Dr. Thomas Ritter and Shana Ritter, with rider awareness and imagery lessons assisted by Catherine McCrum and Yvonne Lübcke.

This course helps you cover the core foundations of timing, application, and combination of the aids in 10 weeks, without feeling lost, overwhelmed, or in-over-your-head. complete with theory lessons, riding exercises, Feldenkrais lessons, imagery lessons, FeldenRide audio lessons you can play while riding your horse, and a complete Ritter Q&A package.

BIOMECHANICS-FOCUSED INSTRUCTION BASED ON CLASSICAL PRINCIPLES We have broken it all down into sections categorized by function and we’re going to go through it ALL bit by bit. Each section will build upon the skills gained in the previous sections, so you and your horse systematically develop finer understanding and communication together through the 10 weeks. Each module will contain pre-recorded videos and downloadable PDFs. (value €2000)

AT-HOME FELDENKRAIS LESSONS YOU CAN DO ON YOUR SCHEDULE
Not only are we going to help you fill in all the theoretical missing pieces, but we are going to give you tools to learn how to relax, connect with, and FEEL your horse. Feldenkrais is the perfect tool to help you, as a rider, develop your body awareness, feel, balance, and coordination. (value €1000)

RIDER IMAGERY LESSONS
When you have the right image in your mind's eye of what you are aiming to achieve, you are much more likely to actually obtain it. We have compiled seven imagery lessons (one for each topic) that can help bring these concepts to life in your mind. Then you can carry these images in your mind as you ride. For visual learners, this is the missing piece between theory and application. (value €1000)

EXCLUSIVE AUDIO PODCAST
You will get access to an exclusive TOTA members-only podcast where you can listen to every TOTA course training from any place, at any time. Listen on the horse, in the car, while walking the dog, or while doing barn chores. (value €1000)

A SCHEDULE BUILT FOR SUCCESS
After over five years of teaching online courses, we have learned a thing or two about what online learning requires in order for students to have success. Students thrive best when they have ample time to digest each module of content before moving on to the next. With a self-study course, you can develop your OWN schedule based on your needs and situation. You can do it! (value priceless)

“TOTA really brought my horses and me into rhythm. When my feel and timing of my aids improved all three of my horses seemed to understand the language and we were finally having a conversation during our rides. This transformed my horses both physically and emotionally they are more relaxed in the pasture and in the arena. It's a beautiful thing thank you so much to Thomas and Shana and their team of experts for giving me the tools and information to make my horse dreams come true!" - Barbara Farino

“We all go through periods where we feel frustrated and seek to get a better experience from our horse's reaction to the moving and bending aids. I've become aware over time that it's not just about applying leg/spur pressure and rein aids although often that's all it seems is available to rely on. The danger is of course that I end up with a dull horse and my own frustration. I have learned through the TOTA course that there is a very specific time in the horse's movement when it's best to give the aid so that you set your horse up to have the best chance to react. He is not simply a slave to the aids, but he is able to be master of his body and give you as the rider the experience of his ability to move and react and place his feet where you want them to go. That means that you time your aids, individually or in combination, so that they are applied at the optimum moment of movement in all gaits. The result is a lightly well-timed aid that can result in a light well-timed response. The Timing of the Aids course explains exactly how to feel your horse's movement and how to time the best moment to apply your chosen aid which will help you show your horse how he can realise his full movement potential.” - Bella Collins

“The course is very into detail, not only the blabla you can read everywhere. you get a lot of new aspects and aha-moments, although I have been attending riding lessons, a lot of important details were not said there, but in the TOTA course. Very informative. Good structure. Interesting videos and good presented.” - Franziska Ledergerber

“I have loved this timing of the aids class. It taught me to feel. So many instructors say you have to develop 'feel', but do not give any clues as to what to be looking for. Thomas, though, patiently describes how to feel the movement of every part of the body, for example, the right shoulder lifting up, and how that 'feels' in your thigh, your seat, and in your rein. Module 8 was transformative for me as it refined my rein aids to be able to sense, and to deliver, sensitive messages to/from each leg." - Melissa Burtt Smith

“This course is answering many of the questions that I have asked but never had answered by trainers. I still have very much to learn but this is a beginning “ - Terrie Millard

“This course covers so much detail that you will need to stop and think, I never thought I would ever be aware of when to ask a certain leg to step quicker or flex a certain leg and although I need more practice I can !!!” - Heather Parnham-Wilson

"These courses address detail of riding instruction not even considered traditionally. They provide bridges between what you think you know over waters to cross you didn't even know existed & you'll be able to do so at your own pace having lifetime access to complete and review. Without a doubt you'll learn things you did not realise were missing from your riding education” - Karen Veronneau

“Yes, it is pricey-but worth it. The time the Ritters and Team have put into this course is exceptional. Details, details, details...Facebook input is incredible. You have LIFETIME access to this course and you have options to opt into future runs on the courses. I find that repeating the courses really helps to plant and grow the seed to improve my communication with my horse. Now let us not forget the Feldenkrais, it was spot on for this course.” - Sue Schmitz

“Whether for scores or equestrian art, this course will pave the way for you to step into your best riding self. It clarifies misunderstandings you didn't know you have, it fills in the blanks you didn't know existed, and it explains HOW to ask your horse to do the thing you want him to do in a way that makes sense to him, rounds him and feels great to him. I recommend this course to any rider, no matter the discipline, that would like to become educated, confident and considerate to her horse.” - Heather Beachum

“This is a very complete course that is appropriate for beginners to advanced riders. The information is detailed and complete. It is presented in a manner that is easy to understand and apply.” - Mary Downs

"From the very first module—where we are given many different possible ways to feel the footfalls of the horse—I knew this course would be transformational." - Susan Heald

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